30°

WASILLA - A Wasilla man pleaded no contest this week to second-degree murder for the death of his 6-month-old daughter last fall.

Burton Naczi initially told the baby's mother that he tripped while carrying her and fell down some stairs.

According to court documents, the injuries Kaydence Lewinski were not discovered until her mother, 19-year-old Stephanie Lewinski, brought the infant home from a 22-hour visit with Naczi and noticed the girl had extensive bruising and seemed lethargic.

Naczi told Alaska State Troopers he partially covered Kaydence with a blanket before her mother's arrival.

Naczi eventually told troopers he shook the baby and threw her on a couch.

He was arrested in November, the day after the child died.

In the plea deal Monday, Naczi faces 30 years in prison at his Nov. 7 sentencing.

Naczi agreed to plead to one count of second-degree murder and prosecutors, in return, dropped a manslaughter charge, according to trooper Sgt. Mike Burkmire, who oversees the troopers investigating the case.